Alaska Senate discusses SB 26 to end daylight savings and shift to Pacific Time

In a pivotal meeting of the Alaska State Legislature, the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee delved into the long-standing debate over daylight saving time, a topic that has stirred frustration among Alaskans for over two decades. The discussion centered around Senate Bill 26, which proposes to eliminate the biannual clock changes that have become a source of confusion for residents.

Carrie Crocker, staff to Senator Merrick, presented the bill, highlighting its potential to simplify timekeeping across the state. "Alaskans have been grumbling about daylight savings time and awkward time zones for years," Crocker noted, emphasizing that this bill aims to permanently keep Alaska on one time year-round. This change would not only enhance morning brightness during winter but also eliminate the twice-a-year adjustments that disrupt daily life.

A significant aspect of SB 26 is its proposal to shift Alaska's time zone from Alaska Standard Time to Pacific Time. This adjustment, if approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, would align Alaska more closely with the West Coast, benefiting business operations, travel, and even television scheduling. However, the bill's exemption from daylight saving time would only take effect if the federal government approves this time zone change by January 1, 2035.

Crocker explained that the bill is designed to address concerns raised by various industry groups, including tourism and banking, which have expressed difficulties due to Alaska's current time zone positioning. The committee members engaged with Crocker, seeking clarity on how the bill could impact commerce and daily life in Alaska.

As the meeting progressed, the committee also briefly discussed Senate Bill 102, another measure aimed at eliminating daylight saving time, indicating a growing legislative momentum towards addressing this issue. With the potential for significant changes on the horizon, Alaskans may soon find relief from the clock-related frustrations that have persisted for years. The outcome of these discussions could reshape how time is experienced in the Last Frontier, making it a topic to watch in the coming months.